She’s got talent: Cheshire woman dances her way into the heart of Italy

Watch video of her 'Amici' debut here

BY TRACEY O'SHAUGHNESSY | REPUBLICAN-AMERICANContributed Photos Sacred Heart University sophomore Lauren Celentano of Cheshire has advanced in competition as the first American ever to participate in the Italian televised talent show, ‘Amici.’Sacred Heart University sophomore Lauren Celentano of Cheshire has advanced in competition as the first American ever to participate in the Italian televised talent show, ‘Amici.’ ContributedSacred Heart University sophomore Lauren Celentano of Cheshire has advanced in competition as the first American ever to participate in the Italian televised talent show, ‘Amici.’ ContributedSacred Heart University sophomore Lauren Celentano of Cheshire has advanced in competition as the first American ever to participate in the Italian televised talent show, ‘Amici.’ Contributed

ACheshire dancer is rapidly progressing through the competition of a popular Italian dance program.

Sacred Heart University sophomore Lauren Celentano of Cheshire, the first American ever to participate in the Italian televised talent show, “Amici,” has moved up to prime time and is becoming a national celebrity.

Celentano, a sophomore a member of the college’s dance company, put her college career on hold. Now, she continues to gather fans throughout Italy.

“She’s doing extremely well and her fan base is growing by the minute,” said Kari Williams, Sacred Heart University dance program director. “It’s looking like she may not be back because she’s like a celebrity there.”

Created in 2001, “Amici” (Italian for “friends”) airs annually from November to June in Italy. It is similar to U.S. television programs like “So You Think You Can Dance?” and “American Idol” in that judges critique all the performances, but contestants stay or go based on public voting.

She has now progressed in competition to the “evening show,” which is akin to the finals. “She has been the first dancer to get the ‘green hoodie,’ or the serale,” or the evening show. As part of her contract, Celentano cannot grant interviews. Like all contestants, Celentano can be eliminated at any time, Williams says

“It’s surreal,” said Felicity Celentano, Lauren’s mother.

The opportunity to be on “Amici” came about in July when Williams took 12 dance program members to the World Dance Movement, an international dance workshop and competition in Bari, Italy, that allows dancers to train with the foremost recognized dance educators in the world and compete for cash and scholarships. Casting directors from “Amici” were present at the workshop, scouting for talent.

Through a connection Williams had, she was able to recommend Celentano, 19, to the directors, who gave her two auditions. “They loved her from the moment they saw her dance,” said Williams, noting that Celentano is the first American to be on the show.

The directors told Williams they wanted to cast Celentano on the show, and they had to know by the next morning if Celentano could commit to perform. Williams said she gathered all the information she could from the directors and discussed the opportunity with Celentano and her parents.

“If Lauren said yes, it was going to be a seven-month commitment if she didn’t get eliminated – she could be eliminated at any time. There would be training and classes … She was in total shock. I told her ‘If you don’t say yes, this opportunity goes away. I knew that it was something major and that it could launch her professional career but also that it was solely her decision to make,” Williams said.

Her mother said she panicked because she realized it would mean her daughter would need to take a leave of absence from school.

“That was the most difficult part of the decision because I do feel like it’s important to have a practical backup but I also know that performing is really her passion,” she said.

Ultimately, she decided. “It wasn’t an easy decision at all,” her mother said. “I was really leery. But it’s a once-in-a million chance.”

Celentano agreed to perform, and, upon returning to Connecticut with her fellow dancers that summer, she began learning Italian. She attended SHU for the fall semester until she left for Italy in November. Her mother went with her. Although Celentano’s family cannot access the Italian channel, they are updated through social media. “It’s driving me a little crazy,” said Felicity, who works as an IT director.

“She’s a beautiful girl,” Williams said. “Now she is not ‘the American girl’ because she is really immersing herself in the culture and learning Italian. She has a lot of technique. … There is a beautiful, authentic quality about her. She’s very gracious. She’s humble and I don’t think she knows how great she is and that’s what makes her more adorable.”

“Lauren is quickly becoming a household name in Italy,” said Williams, who keeps in touch with her mother daily for updates. “People have started fan pages for her on Facebook and Instagram, yet she remains humble and continues to work hard every single week to keep her spot. She is currently No. 1 in the voter rankings for the dance category and No. 4 in the show. She has a very real chance of winning!”

The program concludes early this summer.

“She was always that dancer who was always nice to everyone,” said Williams. “That’s a very rare quality in a dancer. She knows how to be herself. She’s not playing a game and I think that’s what people are responding to. She’s very, very authentic.”

To vote for Celentano, visit www.wittytv.it/amici when the prompt VOTA IL TUO PREFERITO is visible.